[Viennacon]

Middle Eastern Christianity, and the persecution it suffers under the hand of (mainly) Sunni militants of many stripes, is incredibly complex. I think Cruz misstepped, not knowing his audience before going out, and perhaps being understandably ignorant of the web of weird alliances that criss cross the region.

Obviously the actions of the hecklers are reprehensible, because if someone is invited to speak, you should listen even if you disagree with some aspects of what they are saying.

With that said, Cruz as a politician really should have done his homework and either prepared to talk to such an audience, or not appeared.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Or it was an amazing “Sister Souljah” moment that you and I don’t understand yet. Remember, he’d need a lobotomy, a severe stroke, a blow to the head and a bad drug habit to get his I.Q. down around Obama and Hillary territory.

[X-spurt]

Really?

This was a sham Christian organization. It was set up as a “set-up” by muslims to make ME Christians look nutty and assist progressive liberals who support muslims.

Cruz handled this bullshite very well.

[SoConPubbie]

Obviously the actions of the hecklers are reprehensible, because if someone is invited to speak, you should listen even if you disagree with some aspects of what they are saying.

I'd beg to differ. There are some things that rise to the level that there is no need to listen, but simply tell the truth. Maybe Ted Cruz was aware that it was a setup and the best option was too simply tell the truth and refute the evil in the room. Ted is not known from backing away from a fight.

The muslim savages running loose in the Middle East butchering people is one of those.

The idea that Israel is our friend and we are the best friend of Israel is indisputable.

So is the idea that those that hate Israel, hate America.

So is the idea that those who hate Jews, hate Christians, at least from a Muslim perspective.

[Martin Tell]

I personally know some ME Christians who are strongly anti-Israel. While I disagree with them, I do not doubt that they are sincere in their Christian beliefs.

I don't live there, so I can't judge. I think some of this anti-Israeli sentiment may be due to loss of property going back to 1948 or even before and some may be due to ethnic solidarity. Nevertheless, it is real. The few native Christians remaining in the Middle East are for the most part against Israel.

[xzins]

Cruz’s only misstep was in speaking positively of Jews....among the ones not killing Christians for failure to convert. Nor are Americans, British, French, German, or other western nations killing these Arab Christians for not converting to islam.

Those killing them include Hezbollah.

Bottom line up front.

[cynwoody]

With that said, Cruz as a politician really should have done his homework and either prepared to talk to such an audience, or not appeared.

He prepared right quick, mid-talk, and gave them exactly what they deserved.

His full remarks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ZVihACwQ0

Incidentally, based on the mix of applause and heckling, it appeared the crowd was less than unanimously anti-Cruz. However, there were definitely some "Christian" sand nazis there.